Bulldogs Pull Out Tough Win Against WSU

The Bulldogs managed to find a way to beat a feisty Wright State squad Friday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse. In a match marked by errors and digs, Butler prevailed 30-20, 28-30, 30-26, 25-30, 15-11 to improve to 12-6 on the season and remain perfect in Horizon League play at 3-0. The Raiders drop to 9-7 overall and 1-2 in league action. Juniors Kali Carter and Areal Bienemy led the Bulldog charge with 24 and 23 kills, respectively.

Bienemy got the Bulldogs out to a quick start with eight kills in the first game. Wright State hit .020 in the first stanza to aid the Bulldog cause. Down 28-23 in the second frame, the Bulldogs won five consecutive points to pull even before a Butler service error and a service ace by the Raiders' Tricia Naseman gave the visitors a 30-28 decision. The Bulldogs held the Raiders to .170 hitting in the third game to go up 2-1. But the visitors refused to fold, striking back for a 30-25 win in the fourth game.

In the deciding game, the Raiders pulled out to a 2-0 lead before the Bulldogs answered with two points of their own. The teams would then trade points until a hitting error by the Raiders' Alison Sipiorski gave the home team a 12-11 advantage. Butler won the fifth game, 15-11, by winning the frame's final five points.

Carter's 24 kills were a season high for Butler. She added 19 digs on the night for one of two double-doubles. Senior setter Amanda Matthews posted 59 assists and 13 digs, including the 1000th of her career. Libero Alyssa Cress notched a season-high 26 digs on the night, while sophomore Megan Knightly had 25 digs. Knightly's 500th career dig came two points after Matthews' milestone.

McKenzie Tiffin was one of three Raiders to record double-doubles with 14 kills and 16 digs on the night. The Bulldogs held Horizon League "Player of the Week" Tricia Naseman in check, as she hit -.015 (11-12-66) on the night to go along with 16 digs.

The Bulldogs take a week off before hosting Horizon League opponents Cleveland State and Youngstown State Friday and Saturday, respectively. Friday's match begins at 7 p.m., while Saturday's action starts at 4 p.m.